In 2021, The Occasions topped Thornbury Fortress Lodge as Britain’s Finest Romantic Lodge. Visitors time journey again to Tudor days, to a fortress that was as soon as Henry Vlll’s nation escape, for an impressive style of Renaissance residing.
Sleep regally within the octagonal Henry Vlll suite, the place he and Anne Boleyn stayed for 10 days in 1535 while ready for Bristol’s plague to abate. Climb the 77 steps to the fairy story Catherine of Aragon tower with its 10 ft extensive mattress. Or loosen up in any of the opposite 25 fantastically curated bedchambers. Recalling palatial Tudor residing, Thornbury has luxurious bedchambers slightly than rooms.
Begun in 1510 by Edward Stafford, the third Duke of Buckingham, Thornbury Fortress was nearing completion when Henry appropriated it after the he had Stafford executed for treason in 1521.
The welcome
With simply 27 bedchambers, the welcome is heat and private. First, we’re proven the lounge, the place afternoon tea is being served, after which the library which ends up in the bar.
Our baggage is taken throughout the courtyard backyard to our bedchamber and low arched doorways are identified. No marvel that Henry Vlll ceaselessly had a sore head. At 6’2” he was a large of a Tudor.
The bedchamber
Beneath a timber beamed ceiling and glinting chandelier, the massive Mary Queen of Scot’s bedchamber has armchairs, dressing desk, chests of drawers, hearth and tapestry.
Our view is throughout the rose-gardened courtyard to an oriel window that was a part of Stafford’s first ground lodging. Above is a purple brick chimney from 1514 that predates Hampton Court docket’s chimneys by a 12 months.
Though there’s loads of uncovered stonework throughout the fortress’s 4 ft thick partitions, the bedchamber, with chandelier-style wall lights casting heat swimming pools of sunshine, and acres of fitted carpet, is surprisingly cosy.
Thornbury’s house owners have discreetly launched modern comforts: a fridge hidden away behind the darkish wooden marquetry, a tv filled with info on the property and cellphone charging factors by the mattress. Extensive 4 poster beds are designed for contemporary people, not vertically challenged Tudors. Every bedchamber is known as after a outstanding Tudor character, a forged record that features Henry’s six wives. Inside a gilded body, the story of Mary Queen of Scots’ troubled life is advised. Embroiled in catholic / protestant strife and euro energy politics, she was imprisoned for 19 years earlier than her execution.
The lavatory
A hobbit-sized door leads by way of a mini-corridor of in-built wardrobes right into a twin facet rest room. Picket shutters protect privateness.
Even right here you can not escape historical past and the legacy of Stafford’s ego. His sealed knot coat of arms is etched into the glass of the showered door and embroidered on the flannels.
The services
Thornbury’s 3 AA Rosette restaurant attracts in foodies from afar. From the second visitors sit within the historic-tomed library or by the log-fire toasted lounge for drinks, it is a regal eating expertise. The black-tailed maitre d’ sashays between bar and eating places guaranteeing that his waistcoated employees, immaculate in white shirt and black ties, present slick service.
A portrait of Henry Vlll, in that well-known legs astride dominating pose, appears out over one of many two eating rooms. Although he wouldn’t approve of Government Chef Carl Cleghorn’s mild and complicated menu regardless of the superlative sourcing and eye-pleasing presentation.
Henry was extra a half-a-roast-boar glutton than a fragile braised shin of beef gourmand. Pan roasted halibut with salt cod mash, BBQ gem lettuce, brown shrimp and mussels would have been far too refined for the monarch’s tastes. And what would have been the unstable carnivore’s response to spiced quinoa?
When it comes to services, there isn’t a single cardio-machine at Thornbury Fortress nor a swimming pool for laps. However in a nod to twenty first century indulgence there’s a menu of enjoyable massages accessible.
In any other case, actions are distinctly Tudor. Archery, croquet or falconry on the garden. A stroll by way of the Goodly Backyard the place the women as soon as gathered to gossip by the skep straw bee hives, amongst the quince and strawberry bushes. Or a stroll by way of the labyrinth the place they could have mentioned who would succeed Anne Boleyn as Queen. A mere 10 months after her Thornbury keep Anne was useless. Beheaded.
The situation
Overlooking the Severn Estuary, Thornbury is inside a brief drive of Bristol for visits to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the redeveloped docks and Brunel’s SS Nice Britain.
A barely longer drive takes visitors to Bathtub with its grandiose Regency structure and Jane Austen legacy.
Different good touches
A decanter of sloe gin, distilled domestically, makes for a soothing nightcap.
Recalling a bygone age of service, early morning tea and occasional might be delivered. Though there’s a very spectacular tea and occasional tray, together with a copper cafetière throughout the bedchamber.
No characterless, tepid breakfast buffet right here. Piping scorching breakfasts are freshly cooked to order. Neither is the tea from an electrical machine. The aristocratic tea menu contains selections of Halmari Property Assam and Himalayan Darjeeling. For sure each decaf tea and occasional can be found.
For a novel celebration of an important day, you’ll be able to guide a non-public dinner within the dungeon.
The fee
Bedchamber charges start from £299. For dinner, three programs from the a la carte menu prices £59.
The perfect bit
E book a tour with a historian to find out how the Stafford’s relations with King Henry Vlll have been a microcosm of the Tudor interval: energy, battle and beheadings. By the top of Henry’s reign in 1547, executions had decimated the Stafford household tree.
With stone from his Cotswold quarries, Edward Stafford, designed a grand fortress that was additionally a palace arrogantly exulting his standing. His identify and titles are displayed above the gate, his sealed knot heraldic crests carved all through the property.
As England’s second richest man, descended from Edward lll, he thought he had a greater declare to the throne than his cousin, Henry Vlll. As historian David Starkey has written, Stafford barely bent his knee for Henry. That was till Henry lured Stafford to London and had him beheaded in 1521.
The ultimate verdict
An enchanting perception into Tudor occasions with modern regal comforts. There’s a helicopter pad for individuals who journey from afar for chef Carl Cleghorn’s very good fare.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Thornbury Fortress Lodge and Restaurant .
Michael Edwards
Michael Edwards is a journey author from Oxfordshire, UK. Though Michael had his first journey items printed almost 4 a long time in the past, he’s nonetheless discovering new luxurious locations to go to and write on.
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